Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge (born August 7 1941) is a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina, representing that state's 2nd congressional district (map). Etheridge, a Democrat was first elected to the House in 1996.

Born in Sampson County, North Carolina, Etheridge attended Campbell University and served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. A tobacco farmer and hardware store owner, Etheridge served as a Harnett County commissioner from 1973 to 1977. In 1978, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served for four terms and rose to chair the House Appropriations Committee. In 1988, Etheridge was elected North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. His wife is a school nutritionist and they have three children and two grandchildren. After serving two terms in that office, Etheridge was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996; he serves on the Agriculture, Budget, and Homeland Security committees. Etheridge currently resides in Harnett County, North Carolina.

Etheridge was elected to his sixth consecutive term in the 2006 Congressional elections, earning 66% of the popular vote.

Bob Etheridge is a member of the New Democrat Coalition.

He is active in Freemasonry and is currently the Grand Orator for North Carolina Freemasonry.

Committee Assignments

• Agriculture Committee
• Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management (Chairman)
• Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture
• Budget Committee
• Homeland Security Committee
• Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response
• Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology

External links

• Congressman Bob Etheridge official U.S. House site

• North Carolina Democratic Party